Particle Material Preheating Container for Uniform 3D Printing Heat

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3D printing methods face inefficiencies in heating particle materials due to temperature gradients, energy loss, and uneven heating, leading to process errors and increased energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A preheating container with heating elements surrounding the particle material ensures uniform and efficient heating before application, reducing residence time and energy consumption by integrating heating means within the feed container.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If particle material is heated in the recoater with integrated heating elements, then the particle material can be preheated, but temperature gradients occur and heat transfer is inefficient due to short residence time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle material temperatureVSAvoidtemperature uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The particle material is preheated in the feed container before being fed into the recoater. This preliminary heating action ensures that the material reaches the required temperature and maintains it during the brief residence time in the recoater, eliminating the need for integrated heating elements in the recoater and preventing temperature gradients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The heating function is extracted from the recoater and relocated to the feed container. By placing heating elements in the feed container where residence time is longer, the heating process is separated from the rapid material flow in the recoater, solving the temperature uniformity problem while maintaining efficient operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Temperature

If heating elements are integrated into the recoater, then preheating is achieved, but energy consumption increases and residence time is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle material temperatureVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The particle material is preheated in the feed container before being fed into the recoater. This preliminary heating action ensures that the material reaches the required temperature and maintains it during the brief residence time in the recoater, eliminating the need for integrated heating elements in the recoater and preventing temperature gradients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The heating function is extracted from the recoater and relocated to the feed container. By placing heating elements in the feed container where residence time is longer, the heating process is separated from the rapid material flow in the recoater, solving the temperature uniformity problem while maintaining efficient operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If particle material is heated to reach melting temperature, then bonding occurs, but temperature gradients cause process errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidprocess reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The particle material is preheated in the feed container before being fed into the recoater. This preliminary heating action ensures that the material reaches the required temperature and maintains it during the brief residence time in the recoater, eliminating the need for integrated heating elements in the recoater and preventing temperature gradients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The heating function is extracted from the recoater and relocated to the feed container. By placing heating elements in the feed container where residence time is longer, the heating process is separated from the rapid material flow in the recoater, solving the temperature uniformity problem while maintaining efficient operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Achieves homogeneous and energy-efficient preheating of particle materials, minimizing temperature gradients and process errors, while reducing energy requirements and improving production speed and quality.

Implementation Method 1

the heating means is/are arranged in the area intended to receive the particle material and wherein the heating means is/are substantially surrounded by the particle material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS12552095B2Particle material preheating device and use in 3D methods

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 VOXELJET AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and to a method for producing 3D moulded parts, wherein a preheating container is used.